Beyond its impact on health, air-conditioning also causes greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings account for more than 20 per cent of Singapore’s emissions, and more than a third of the country’s electricity consumption. A typical office in Singapore expends 60 per cent of its energy on cooling, according to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
The World Economic Forum has estimated that emissions from air-conditioning alone could account for as much as a 0.5 degree Celsius increase in global warming by 2100.
It’s a vicious cycle. The hotter it gets, the more energy office buildings use on their air conditioning. And the more they turn on their air-conditioner, the warmer cities gets.
SOLUTIONS ARE POSSIBLE
Many people feel intuitively they will be healthier and accomplish more if temperatures are more comfortable. The research backs them up. Singapore can achieve its net zero goals faster if temperatures in buildings go up a bit too.
Yet change may be difficult. There are concerns that changing the behaviour of landlords and tenants could be the biggest hurdle. NUS assistant professor Clayton Miller told Eco-Business that there are many underused green building technologies, including innovative cooling. “Too many decision-makers want to play it safe and stick with conventional systems.”
Fortunately, a multitude of initiatives are underway to overcome hindrances to action. Since the early 2000s, for instance, the Garden City Action Committee has pushed for green buildings, which can reduce utility expenses and Singapore’s carbon footprint. The BCA has established a green mark for new buildings.
SP Digital created Green Energy Tech (GET) TenantCare, an automated submetering solution that gives tenants and landlords visibility of their utilities consumption. GET Engaged provides a digital dashboard which, when displayed in lobbies, could spur tenants to make more sustainable choices.